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What To Know About Bacterial Skin Infections
Bacterial skin infections occur when bacteria enter through the surface of the skin. They can cause symptoms such as swelling and inflammation. Treatment may include topical or oral antibiotics.
Experts classify bacterial skin infections as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) or acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).
This article details the types of bacterial skin infections and discusses symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more.
Skin infections involving bacteria can affect the skin, underlying subcutaneous tissue, or muscles, ranging from superficial surface infections to severe necrotizing conditions.
SSTIs are infections that affect the skin or soft tissue. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously categorized these as "complicated SSTI" and "uncomplicated SSTI." More recently, the FDA has categorized bacterial skin infections as either SSTI or ABSSSI.
SSTIExamples of SSTI include:
ABSSSIABSSSIs are more complex bacterial skin infections. A 2013 FDA release defines ABSSSI as the following:
The primary infections in SSTIs are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 33% of people carry S. Aureus bacteria in their nose. Around 2 per 100 people carry MRSA. However, most people do not develop serious MRSA infections.
The CDC also reports that MRSA bloodstream infections decreased in healthcare settings by 17.1% each year between 2005–2012.
Learn more about MRSA.
Symptoms of bacterial skin infections may depend on the type of infection but can include:
It is best for a person with any of these symptoms to contact a doctor for a diagnosis. A doctor can order tests to confirm the cause of the symptoms and advise on suitable treatments.
Learn more about the symptoms of a bacterial infection.
Bacterial skin infections can develop when bacteria enter through the surface of the skin. For example, this can happen through a cut or a wound.
Bacteria can also enter the skin through surgical incisions. As a result, SSTIs are the most common healthcare-associated infections among people undergoing surgery.
A doctor may diagnose a bacterial skin infection through clinical signs and symptoms.
They may also order laboratory tests to confirm the type of infection. This involves either swabbing or removing a sample of the affected skin for examination under a microscope.
A doctor can advise which tests they order and what the person can expect.
Experts recommend that doctors manage infections such as impetigo, erysipelas, and cellulitis with topical antibiotics against Gram-positive bacteria. Doctors may also treat community-acquired MRSA with antibiotics.
Additionally, medical professionals may treat simple abscesses and boils by making a surgical incision and draining them of pus.
In some cases, doctors may treat severe bacterial skin infections in hospitals. A person may require oral or intravenous antibiotics.
Learn more about antibiotics.
A person can take steps to reduce the risk of bacterial skin infections. These can include:
Guidelines recommend that medical staff take appropriate precautions to avoid bacterial skin infections in a hospital setting. Recommendations include ensuring that a person bathes or showers before surgery and that surgical teams clean their hands appropriately.
It is best for a person to contact their doctor for more advice on ways to prevent bacterial skin infections.
Bacterial skin infections comprise skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) or acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the infection but can include inflammation, swelling, pain, and warmth.
Treatment for bacterial skin infections may involve topical medications to apply to the skin or oral antibiotics. For more severe conditions, doctors may administer antibiotics intravenously.
A person can help reduce the risk of bacterial skin infections. These include regularly washing hands and properly cleaning any cuts. It is best to contact a doctor for advice if a person has concerns about bacterial skin infections.
What Are Some Common Skin Rashes In Children?
Many different types of rashes can affect children. A child can develop dermatitis or develop a rash due to a virus, bacteria, or fungus. Although many rashes clear up quickly with home care, some require longer-term treatment or medication.
Some rashes form quickly, while others take several days to appear fully.
This article provides an overview of the most common rashes in children, including symptoms, causes, and treatments.
While most rashes are not medical emergencies, a parent or caregiver should take a child to the emergency room if they notice a rash that could indicate meningitis.
Meningitis refers to inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It usually develops due to a viral or bacterial infection. It can affect anyone but most commonly occurs in:
A person may notice a rash that looks like pinpricks. These spread quickly and turn into purple blotches.
On light skin, the pinpricks are red. On Skin of Color, the rash can be less noticeable. A person can check paler areas of skin for the rash, such as:
The rash will not disappear if a person presses a glass against the skin.
Learn more about meningitis.
Many of these rashes are not typically a cause for concern, and a parent or caregiver can treat these rashes at home. However, if symptoms do not resolve, they should speak with a healthcare professional.
Teething rashTeething typically starts between 4 and 7 months of age.
Teething can cause the baby to drool, and the excess saliva can irritate the skin around the mouth, cheeks, chin, neck, or chest. This causes tiny, raised, inflamed bumps to develop.
Learn more about what teething rash looks like and how to treat it.
Diaper rashWetness and friction from a diaper can cause diaper rash to develop on or around a baby's buttocks. This is a rash that a person can typically treat with home care.
Diaper rash can be a form of irritant contact dermatitis or result from a fungal or bacterial infection.
Symptoms of diaper rash include:
Learn more about diaper rash and how to treat it.
Cradle capAccording to the United Kingdom's National Health Service, experts do not fully understand the cause of cradle cap.
Around the scalp and face, an infant will develop patches of yellow or white greasy scales. These can crust and fall off.
It can sometimes affect the diaper area and appear as small, dry flakes of skin.
The scales look similar on all skin tones. However, on darker skin, the skin underneath the scales may appear darker than the surrounding skin. On lighter skin, the skin will appear red or pink.
Learn more about cradle cap and how to treat it.
EczemaEczema is a common condition in children. Caused by an overreaction of the immune system, it results in dry, itchy patches of skin.
Symptoms of eczema include:
Learn more about eczema in children and how to treat it.
Contact dermatitisContact dermatitis is a rash caused by contact with an irritant or allergen. Common causes include:
Symptoms may vary among children but commonly include:
Treatment for contact dermatitis in children can depend on their symptoms, age, overall health, and the severity of the condition.
Learn more about a contact dermatitis rash.
Heat rashHeat rash develops as a result of inflammation and blockage of the sweat ducts.
It can cause:
A parent or caregiver can treat heat rash at home.
Learn more about heat rash and how to treat it.
Although a parent or caregiver can manage the symptoms of the following viral infections at home, they should speak with a healthcare professional for advice.
Vaccines can prevent some viral rashes, such as measles, rubella, and chicken pox. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a vaccine schedule for infants and children.
Some of these conditions, including measles, can be dangerous. A parent or caregiver should contact a doctor if they think the child has had exposure to the virus.
ChickenpoxAccording to the CDC, the varicella zoster virus causes chickenpox. It can be life threatening for those who have never had it before. However, a vaccine is available.
It produces a rash with itchy, fluid-filled blisters on any body part. The blisters may scab after about a week.
Chickenpox is transmissible to someone who has never had the virus. Parents and caregivers should keep the child away from other children during the illness. The transmissible period ends when all the rash blisters have scabbed.
Chickenpox typically lasts between 4 and 7 days.
Learn more about chicken pox and how to treat it.
Fifth diseaseParvovirus B19 causes the rash called fifth disease, or erythema infectiosum.
The itchy rash, also called slapped cheek rash, appears on the face. A second rash may develop on the torso, arms, legs, or buttocks.
It usually disappears in 7–10 days. The rash may appear lacy as it starts to fade.
Learn more about fifth disease rashes and how to treat them.
RoseolaRoseola infantum, sometimes called sixth disease, results from infection with human herpesvirus 6 or 7 (HHV-6 or HHV-7).
A 2022 overview of research notes that 90% of cases occur in children under 2 years of age.
Symptoms include:
The rash can spread to the neck, face, arm, and legs. It does not usually itch and begins to disappear after about 2 days.
Learn more about roseola and how to treat it.
MeaslesMeasles typically begins with cold-like symptoms and white spots that develop in the mouth.
A spotty rash develops on the head or neck and spreads over the body. The rash may be slightly raised but is not usually itchy. Spots may form together into patches of rash.
The CDC notes that measles is highly transmissible from 4 days before the rash appears until 4 days after the rash appears. A child or adult with measles requires isolation.
Learn more about measles and how to treat it.
RubellaRubella is a viral condition that produces mild illness and rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body.
In children, certain symptoms usually develop before the rash, including:
The rash appears as a speckling on the skin.
Learn more about rubella and how to treat it.
Molluscum contagiosumA poxvirus causes molluscum contagiosum, which results in small, raised bumps on the skin. The bumps appear flesh-colored, are smooth and firm, and have a depressed dimple in the center. The dimple may not always be present.
Mollusca lesions may develop anywhere on the body and become itchy, sore, and swollen. The condition usually resolves in 6–12 months but may take as long as 4 years.
Learn more about molluscum contagiosum and how parents and caregivers can treat it using home remedies.
Hand, foot, and mouth diseaseHand, foot, and mouth disease is common in children younger than 5 years.
The rash can develop on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It can also develop on the buttocks, arms, and legs.
The rash appears as flat or slightly raised spots. Blisters can also develop.
Learn more about hand, foot, and mouth disease and how to treat it.
A doctor can treat the following rashes using antibiotics, and a parent or caregiver and manage symptoms at home.
Scarlet feverThe bacteria group A Streptococcus causes scarlet fever. It most commonly develops in children ages 5–15.
Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, and a rash that feels like sandpaper.
Learn more about a scarlet fever rash and how to treat it.
ImpetigoTwo types of bacteria cause impetigo — group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. It usually takes about 10 days after exposure for the rash to develop.
Impetigo can cause itchy sores alongside yellow scabs that develop over the rash area. The rash heals without leaving a scar.
The sores develop:
Learn more about impetigo and how to treat it.
Children can develop a fungal rash known as ringworm. The name stems from the ring-shaped pattern of the rash.
Ringworm rashes appear on the scalp or body as round or oval patches of inflamed skin that are smooth in the center. The edges appear scaly.
Learn more about ringworm and how to treat it using home remedies.
Most rashes are not emergencies.
A parent or caregiver should contact a doctor if:
Children develop many types of rashes. Many of them are not medical emergencies, and home treatment is safe to start.
However, a parent or caregiver should contact a doctor if other symptoms are present. If the rash covers the body or a pattern of purplish paint splatters appear, it is important to seek emergency care.
Lyme Disease Warning Signs: What To Look Out For
© Provided by Getty Images Lyme Disease image Overview
A tick-borne disease caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdoferi.This results in rashes, fever and fatigue.
Symptoms
Symptoms include rashes, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, numbness and short term memory loss.
What are people curious about? Lyme disease treatments Lyme disease rash Lymes disease symptoms humans Medication for lyme diseaseCauses
It is caused by Borrelia burgdoferi.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves medical history, physical examination and certain tests to rule out other disease conditions.
→ Common treatment options
→ How is this diagnosed?
Highlights
Medications
Oral antibiotics: Early stages of lyme disease are treated with oral antibiotics.
Doxycycline . Amoxicillin . Tetracycline
Intravenous antibiotics: Prescribed for people whose central nervous system is affected by lyme disease.
Ceftriaxone . Penicillin
→ Do you have a health question on your mind for lyme disease? Ask professionals from across the world
→ Interested to know more? Check out the full article here
For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Source: Focus Medica.
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